Isn't this a contract year for Maddux? I wonder if they'll sign him to an extension and then he can fall back to earth.

Banix12

04-24-2006, 12:10 AM

I know he's a cub and sox fans are supposed to hate all things cub. I have no ill feelings toward maddux. He's a pro who is really fun to watch pitch because he has nothing when it comes to stuff but basically outsmarts hitters. I don't like the cubs as a whole but he's one of the cubs players for who I have the utmost respect for what he can do on the field and for what he has done throughout his career.

He does appear to have a little better movement this year but I would surmise that a lot of his early success right now compared to last season might have something to do with the upgrade in the OF. Jones, Pierre and Murton are a lot better will track down a lot more fly balls than Burnitz, Patterson and Hollandsworth.

The Critic

04-24-2006, 12:12 AM

I know we're never supposed to compliment a Cub :D: , but Maddux has been great so far. Hitting his spots, keeping his pitch count low, he looks rejuvenated. Funny what finally hiring a trainer for the offseason can do, huh?
And like he said in the SI piece, he's catching some breaks. That's part of any pitcher's success, as well. He's making some of his own luck and taking advantage of the other breaks he gets.

patbooyah

04-24-2006, 12:29 AM

he must have found a new and more effective way to cheat out there.

hey! marky b said it first!

QCIASOXFAN

04-24-2006, 01:04 AM

he must have found a new and more effective way to cheat out there.

hey! marky b said it first!

Thats funny you mention that, I was just watching sports center and they were going over the game highlights and the Cardinals requested to have a knew ball like 3 times.

kittle42

04-24-2006, 01:32 AM

the Cardinals requested to have a knew ball like 3 times.

What exactly did the ball know?

BRDSR

04-24-2006, 01:37 AM

I know he's a cub and sox fans are supposed to hate all things cub.

Yeah, I know that too, but...when Maddux was a Brave he was far and away my favorite player not playing in a White Sox uniform. I find it difficult not to root for him even in a Cubs uniform. He is a class act and easily one of the top five pitchers to pitch in any uniform in my lifetime. There are only two players that I'd consider making a trip to Cooperstown to see their inductions, and the other is Frank Thomas. I can't wait until he gets out of a Cubs uniform so I can openly say I like him again.

Banix12

04-24-2006, 02:01 AM

Yeah, I know that too, but...when Maddux was a Brave he was far and away my favorite player not playing in a White Sox uniform. I find it difficult not to root for him even in a Cubs uniform. He is a class act and easily one of the top five pitchers to pitch in any uniform in my lifetime. There are only two players that I'd consider making a trip to Cooperstown to see their inductions, and the other is Frank Thomas. I can't wait until he gets out of a Cubs uniform so I can openly say I like him again.

I always just say that while I dislike the team in general there have been plenty of cub players throughout the years who I respected as players. Guys like Dawson and Sandberg come to mind. I don't root for the team to win but I can appreciate the way the the individual players played the game.

Railsplitter

04-24-2006, 10:35 AM

So Maddux if having a good first month. Does that mean the Cubs are contenders? Hardly.

I like to know where this notion comes from that with Prior and Wood healthy the Cubs are contenders. Both were healthy in the 2003 NLCS going into games 6 and 7 but both lost.

Just another case of sports journalist parroting the same nonsense with chaecking the facts.

PatK

04-24-2006, 10:38 AM

The problem is, Maddux is getting old, and is starting to show that he's wearing down towards the end of the season. Same thing with Clemens last year.

sullythered

04-24-2006, 10:41 AM

There are really only one or two players (Zambrano, Ramirez) I genuinely dislike on this Cubs team. It's the fans that really bug me.

Greg Maddux is a stud, and I love watching him pitch. He seems like a pretty decent guy, to boot.

Maddux was the lead story on Baseball Tonight last night. The lead story should have been "World Champs Have the Best Record in Baseball." Maddux is a good guy, but what is so newsworthy about a great pitcher having a good start? Just because he's 40 years old?

viagracat

04-24-2006, 11:16 AM

Maddux was the lead story on Baseball Tonight last night. The lead story should have been "World Champs Have the Best Record in Baseball." Maddux is a good guy, but what is so newsworthy about a great pitcher having a good start? Just because he's 40 years old?

Well, he has a 0.99 ERA after four starts, he is 40 years old and is about to pass Don Sutton and Nolan Ryan's 324 career wins. I'd say that's all pretty noteworthy. Give the guy his due credit. I think he's great for the game. Don't let Flubsession get in the way of respecting what this guy's done. Believe me, if the Sox keep winning, they'll get their props.:smile:

nedlug

04-24-2006, 11:24 AM

What exactly did the ball know?

Like a made man, too much :redneck.

Hangar18

04-24-2006, 11:25 AM

Maddux was the lead story on Baseball Tonight last night. The lead story should have been "World Champs Have the Best Record in Baseball." Maddux is a good guy, but what is so newsworthy about a great pitcher having a good start? Just because he's 40 years old?

Umm, hes a Cub, thats why. As soon as they win 3 in a row, the "we-hope-maddux-leads-cubs-to-series" story angles will pop up .........

Hangar18

04-24-2006, 11:33 AM

All weekend, all I heard was Poor Cubs, Derrek Lee, can we get Sweeney, Maddux is Cy Young, Maddux is amazing, can you believe hes 4-0, etc etc.

Didnt the SOX have a couple guys start 4-0 last year? Garland for sure, but the media ignored it and talked about how great DLee was. Remember when Loiaza started out 4-0? They talked about when Prior was gonna be back instead.

DSpivack

04-24-2006, 03:46 PM

All weekend, all I heard was Poor Cubs, Derrek Lee, can we get Sweeney, Maddux is Cy Young, Maddux is amazing, can you believe hes 4-0, etc etc.

Didnt the SOX have a couple guys start 4-0 last year? Garland for sure, but the media ignored it and talked about how great DLee was. Remember when Loiaza started out 4-0? They talked about when Prior was gonna be back instead.

Well, Loaiza and Garland aren't exactly future HOFers or among the best players in their generation.

PatK

04-24-2006, 04:35 PM

Well, Loaiza and Garland aren't exactly future HOFers or among the best players in their generation.

Neither are Prior or Lee.

I need more than one .300 season for a .267 career hitter before delcaring him the best player ever in Chicago.

Layla

04-24-2006, 09:12 PM

I give Maddux credit for hiring his own trainer, rather than relying on the Cubs staff.

soxwon

04-24-2006, 10:07 PM

4-0 big deal
the sox have 3 3 game winners
after maddux cubs have zilch
zamborilla hasn't even won a game.

Layla

04-25-2006, 08:28 AM

4-0 big deal
the sox have 3 3 game winners
after maddux cubs have zilch
zamborilla hasn't even won a game.

I have a hard time believing no one on the Cubs staff has had Zambrano deal with all that anger. And it's not emotion, the guy is definately angry all the time.